UC Santa Barbara2002: The returning Co-Big West Offensive Player of the Year and team co-captain will be the focal point of the Gauchos' offensive attack, complemented by a number of other skilled players, Friend will anchor a strong UCSB attacking forward line...2001: Friend was nothing short of spectacular in his first season as a Gaucho, finishing atop the conference scoring 11 goals and tallying 26 total points...Named the Big West's Co-Offensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Big West, he led the conference in five offensive categories (points, goals, goals per game, shots, and game-winning goals)...Averaged 0.61 goals per game, starting 18 matches for the Gauchos, missing one match due to suspension...Of UCSB's 11 wins, Friend scored the winning goal in five, and assisted on two other game winning goals...Took 66 shots in 18 matches to lead the Big West, shooting .167 for the season...He finished second in the conference with 1.44 points per match, and tied for sixth amongst league player with four assists on the season...Tallied a team high five points in a single game scoring two goals and assisting on another in the Gauchos 3-2 conference-opening win over Cal State Fullerton...Friend was most dominant when playing in Big West matches, closing the year with eight goals and two assists in nine conference matches in which he played.

Western Michigan
Accumulated a total of 9 goals and 6 assists in two seasons with the Broncos...Named All-Mid-American Conference as a sophomore.

Canadian National Team
Played on both the national under-20 and under-23 squads...Competed internationally against 9 countries, including international powers such as Brazil, France, and Jamaica on the under-20 squad...Was a part of a 2-1 win over the US on the under-20 squad...Has been a member of Canada's under-23 team for the past two seasons, tallying a total of 4 goals and 2 assists...Recorded 2 goals and 1 assist in a 4-0 victory over Bulgaria (under-23)...Scored the game tying goal against France (under-23) in front of 15,000 fans which he regards as his most memorable moment in sports...In the 2-2 tie with France, he recorded the assist on the goal that he did not score.

Personal
Robert Douglas Friend was born on January 23, 1981 in Rosetown, Saskatchewan...Is a Business Economics major at UCSB...Hopes to one day play professionally in Europe and own his own business...Is a fan of Manchester United and player David Beckham...His favorite movies are "Gladiator" and "Snatch"...Enjoys reading "Maxim" and "Men's Health" magazines...Likes "That 70's Show"...When he is not playing soccer he is probably eating...Attended KLO Secondary School where he also played volleyball and rugby for the Cougars...Has one older sister, Jill, and one younger sister, Julie...Son of Doug and Connie Friend.